Highlanders 2025
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this is genuine ignorance, not a loaded question
if both fit and in form how do we have hurley and JRK? one at 15 and one at 14 with tangitau 11? if so which way around? im not a huge fan of hurley on the wing due to his size
also, havent read the match thread or anything, whats the deal with Nareki?
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
.....but Gilbert is done at this level I'm afraid. It reminds me of when Michael Collins played fullback for the Blues.
just saw this, yes, great analogy, i think it works on a few levels as i think they both could have been very handy squad players...but we're used to cover anywhere that there was a problem...and then critiqued for not being good enough, its true but also not 100% their fault when they bounce around when other players get to specialise
@Kiwiwomble with Hurley and JRK. I think it'd be JRK at fullback with a fit Nareki and Tangitau on the wings. Hurley off the bench, as a 30 minute impact player. Nareki comes off, JRK to the wing, and Hurley to fullback.
If Nareki is broken this week, I think we will see Gilbert on the wing.
As well as the Michael Collins analogy. When he plays on the wing, it feels like he is a Daryl Halligan or Hazem El Masri. A specialist kicker, hanging out on the wing. No attacking threat. There simply because he is our best goalkicker
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this is genuine ignorance, not a loaded question
if both fit and in form how do we have hurley and JRK? one at 15 and one at 14 with tangitau 11? if so which way around? im not a huge fan of hurley on the wing due to his size
also, havent read the match thread or anything, whats the deal with Nareki?
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
.....but Gilbert is done at this level I'm afraid. It reminds me of when Michael Collins played fullback for the Blues.
just saw this, yes, great analogy, i think it works on a few levels as i think they both could have been very handy squad players...but we're used to cover anywhere that there was a problem...and then critiqued for not being good enough, its true but also not 100% their fault when they bounce around when other players get to specialise
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
also, havent read the match thread or anything, whats the deal with Nareki?
He has re aggravated his ankle that he injured in the pre season and has just returned from. Hopefully isn’t anything too serious and the chat is he’s up in the air for this weekend. Fingers crossed. Super frustrating for him, feel for the guy.
My guess is Nareki is out, Hurley starts at 15 if fit with Gilbert/Manson to the wing. Manson a straight swap with Nareki if Hurley isn’t available.
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forgot about manson....i love nareki.....but currently hes only ahead of Gilbert for me...he's just too injury prone, he goes off and it disrupts things
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Injury update:
Oliver Haig (Foot / 3 weeks )
Jonah Lowe (ACL / 1-2 weeks )
Cameron Millar (Concussion / 1-2 weeks)
Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Neck / 3-4 weeks)
Folau Fakatava (Hamstring / 1-2 weeks)
Hugh Renton (Groin / 1-2 weeks) -
Looking forward to Jonah Lowe coming back. Will be a real boost
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Looking forward to Jonah Lowe coming back. Will be a real boost
@SouthernMann :cat_face_with_tears_of_joy:
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Looking forward to Jonah Lowe coming back. Will be a real boost
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Am I misremembering things or has Hurley only had one and a half good games? Not exactly storming form (doesn't mean he shouldn't start, just means we're one bad performance away from everyone writing him off again).
@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2025:
Am I misremembering things or has Hurley only had one and a half good games? Not exactly storming form (doesn't mean he shouldn't start, just means we're one bad performance away from everyone writing him off again).
Even if that's the case, those 1.5 games showed astonishing form. I wouldn't be in a rush to replace him with a guy coming back from long term injury that is a very similar player anyway.
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Am I misremembering things or has Hurley only had one and a half good games? Not exactly storming form (doesn't mean he shouldn't start, just means we're one bad performance away from everyone writing him off again).
@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2025:
Am I misremembering things or has Hurley only had one and a half good games? Not exactly storming form (doesn't mean he shouldn't start, just means we're one bad performance away from everyone writing him off again).
He's played five games. Half of them he has been really good. Can't say he's had a bad game yet for the Landers.
I reckon JRK, Tangitau on the wings and Hurley at fullback has a nice ring to it.
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Am I misremembering things or has Hurley only had one and a half good games? Not exactly storming form (doesn't mean he shouldn't start, just means we're one bad performance away from everyone writing him off again).
@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2025:
Am I misremembering things or has Hurley only had one and a half good games? Not exactly storming form (doesn't mean he shouldn't start, just means we're one bad performance away from everyone writing him off again).
he's only started 2 games this season so thats a pretty good strike rate, we need to start rewarding form....not second guessing when it will fall away
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@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2025:
Am I misremembering things or has Hurley only had one and a half good games? Not exactly storming form (doesn't mean he shouldn't start, just means we're one bad performance away from everyone writing him off again).
He's played five games. Half of them he has been really good. Can't say he's had a bad game yet for the Landers.
I reckon JRK, Tangitau on the wings and Hurley at fullback has a nice ring to it.
@SouthernMann said in Highlanders 2025:
@Mr-Fish said in Highlanders 2025:
Am I misremembering things or has Hurley only had one and a half good games? Not exactly storming form (doesn't mean he shouldn't start, just means we're one bad performance away from everyone writing him off again).
He's played five games. Half of them he has been really good. Can't say he's had a bad game yet for the Landers.
I reckon JRK, Tangitau on the wings and Hurley at fullback has a nice ring to it.
thats actually what i was wondering when i asked, i wasnt sure how people saw JRK on the wing
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Hurley would be on the wing for me. JRK at his best, is a much better fullback than Hurley. With everyone fit and firing, Hurley is still on the bench for me, which speaks to the depth we have.
@frugby and thats where i feel he might be best on the bench then, im not a huge fan of him on the wing, i feel hes offset his size issue at 15 by using space much more....the wing has to deal with the touchline more and hes less likely to shrug off a tackle and hold his ground right on the line
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Im much more comfortable with JRK on the wing and Hurley at fullback than the other way around.
JRK has played a lot more wing than Hurley. They can switch during games as well.
It is a nice problem to have. I do like the option to have a fresh Hurley come on with 30 to go though. Move Jim to 12. JRK to the wing and have Hurley come on at fullback.
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I still want to temper expectations with Hurley. He won't play as well as he played against the Blues every week, so question marks still remain as to how he goes in an average game. His ceiling is as high as anyone's, but he still generally has a clanger every game in him.
JRK was a gun last year, and deserves the 15 jersey should he prove his fitness. Manson might be worth another look on the edge, though Nareki is back next week.
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thank god we'll never have another injury and so will be able to play with all these options regularly.....
@Kiwiwomble said in Highlanders 2025:
thank god we'll never have another injury and so will be able to play with all these options regularly.....
And in the forwards. Haig comes back. Howden is a dual 6/lock sub. Or starts. Dunshea could even come off the bench and sub Holland.
So many options for an injury free squad.
It is delightful.
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I still want to temper expectations with Hurley. He won't play as well as he played against the Blues every week, so question marks still remain as to how he goes in an average game. His ceiling is as high as anyone's, but he still generally has a clanger every game in him.
JRK was a gun last year, and deserves the 15 jersey should he prove his fitness. Manson might be worth another look on the edge, though Nareki is back next week.
@frugby said in Highlanders 2025:
I still want to temper expectations with Hurley. He won't play as well as he played against the Blues every week, so question marks still remain as to how he goes in an average game. His ceiling is as high as anyone's, but he still generally has a clanger every game in him.
JRK was a gun last year, and deserves the 15 jersey should he prove his fitness. Manson might be worth another look on the edge, though Nareki is back next week.
We all understand what Hurley has in his game. We have all seen him shit the cot. It is fine. It is what you expect from a 21-year-old. He has also fairly well reduced the number of clangers. I expect to see two a game. He is only only going to be playing his sixth game of Super rugby.
It is the attitude of oohhh. Yes he does some good things. But he might play shit. It is a crappy attitude to have. We have a wee rock star. He will do more good than bad. He puts bums on seats. It is the same with high risk cricketers like Finn Allen. Yes, he hits sixes, but he might go out for under 10 and that's bad. He won't he a sensible 40. He's an entertainer and we need guys like him and Hurley playing for our teams.
Work out who your best five players are 12 - 15, and look at how to fit them in.
